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Ampeg Venture V7 opinions

mickebas

mickebas

Sep 7, 2008
800
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#1
I’m in the market for a lightweight but strong enough amp having the Ampeg V7 as an option both in size, effect and price-range.

So Ive read a lot of varied reviews about it that makes me hesitate pulling the trigger.
I’ve owned and own the PF300 and the PF500 heads and I’m happy with the way they sounds.
I use 2 PF210 cabinets most of the time and they are most highly what I would use with the V7 head as well to begin with.

So my question is if it’s worth the upgrade since I don’t own the PF500 anymore, only the PF350 and I could use some extra power.
I like the Ampeg sound, play mostly Fender P or Jazz or the occasional jazz-5. Flats & rounds and I’m not into too much treble or hi-tech sounds.
Are there any other options in the price range < 1000$ approximately?
 
#9
These are the amps I am using now...
1783178210029.png


I like the Ampeg V7 quite a lot:
- the modeling of both B15 and SVT is very usable. I haven't played either of the originals but to me these sound good for the blues/rock I play
- I've used it in small gigs with a band, through a 1x12 cabinet, and it was able to keep up with the dummer and guitarist. I was concerned about this as some reviews suggested it was quiet. I have not found this to be the case, but the volume increases more linearly as you turn the volume control compared to the D-800 (which tops out at about 12 o'clock).
- the onboard compressor and overdrive are sufficient that I don't need pedals when I play through the V7.
- it's at it's best when paired directly with a P-bass.

Compared to the D-800, the V7 is warmer and more vintage, whereas the D-800 is much cleaner and more hi-fi. My pedalboard right now is an Anagram into a Mantle which I pair with D-800 over the V7 because the D-800 doesn't color the sound in the same way.

TBH:
- If the D-800 were stolen I would replace it, probably with a D-800+.
- If the V7 were stolen I would think hard about whether I really needed it, or whether a modeler and a cleaner amp would be a better combination. If I needed an amp that did "warm/vintage" and didn't require me to bring any pedals, this would be it for me.

I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you want to buy my V7 ;)
 
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#10
pwilson said:
These are the amps I am using now...
View attachment 7529326

I like the Ampeg V7 quite a lot:
- the modeling of both B15 and SVT is very usable. I haven't played either of the originals but to me these sound good for the blues/rock I play
- I've used it in small gigs with a band, through a 1x12 cabinet, and it was able to keep up with the dummer and guitarist. I was concerned about this as some reviews suggested it was quiet. I have not found this to be the case, but the volume increases more linearly as you turn the volume control compared to the D-800 (which tops out at about 12 o'clock).
- the onboard compressor and overdrive are sufficient that I don't need pedals when I play through the V7.
- it's at it's best when paired directly with a P-bass.

Compared to the D-800, the V7 is warmer and more vintage, whereas the D-800 is much cleaner and more hi-fi. My pedalboard right now is an Anagram into a Mantle which I pair with D-800 over the V7 because the D-800 doesn't color the sound in the same way.

TBH:
- If the D-800 were stolen I would replace it, probably with a D-800+.
- If the V7 were stolen I would think hard about whether I really needed it, or whether a modeler and a cleaner amp would be a better combination. If I needed an amp that did "warm/vintage" and didn't require me to bring any pedals, this would be it for me.

I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you want to buy my V7 ;)
Click to expand...
Thanks!
I’m in Sweden so hard to buy yours I guess. Thanks for the insight and offer though.
 
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#11
pwilson said:
These are the amps I am using now...
View attachment 7529326

I like the Ampeg V7 quite a lot:
- the modeling of both B15 and SVT is very usable. I haven't played either of the originals but to me these sound good for the blues/rock I play
- I've used it in small gigs with a band, through a 1x12 cabinet, and it was able to keep up with the dummer and guitarist. I was concerned about this as some reviews suggested it was quiet. I have not found this to be the case, but the volume increases more linearly as you turn the volume control compared to the D-800 (which tops out at about 12 o'clock).
- the onboard compressor and overdrive are sufficient that I don't need pedals when I play through the V7.
- it's at it's best when paired directly with a P-bass.

Compared to the D-800, the V7 is warmer and more vintage, whereas the D-800 is much cleaner and more hi-fi. My pedalboard right now is an Anagram into a Mantle which I pair with D-800 over the V7 because the D-800 doesn't color the sound in the same way.

TBH:
- If the D-800 were stolen I would replace it, probably with a D-800+.
- If the V7 were stolen I would think hard about whether I really needed it, or whether a modeler and a cleaner amp would be a better combination. If I needed an amp that did "warm/vintage" and didn't require me to bring any pedals, this would be it for me.

I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you want to buy my V7 ;)
Click to expand...
Wow ! These are some excellent comments and analysis, thanks a lot for sharing. 👍
 
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#13
pwilson said:
These are the amps I am using now...
View attachment 7529326

I like the Ampeg V7 quite a lot:
- the modeling of both B15 and SVT is very usable. I haven't played either of the originals but to me these sound good for the blues/rock I play
- I've used it in small gigs with a band, through a 1x12 cabinet, and it was able to keep up with the dummer and guitarist. I was concerned about this as some reviews suggested it was quiet. I have not found this to be the case, but the volume increases more linearly as you turn the volume control compared to the D-800 (which tops out at about 12 o'clock).
- the onboard compressor and overdrive are sufficient that I don't need pedals when I play through the V7.
- it's at it's best when paired directly with a P-bass.

Compared to the D-800, the V7 is warmer and more vintage, whereas the D-800 is much cleaner and more hi-fi. My pedalboard right now is an Anagram into a Mantle which I pair with D-800 over the V7 because the D-800 doesn't color the sound in the same way.

TBH:
- If the D-800 were stolen I would replace it, probably with a D-800+.
- If the V7 were stolen I would think hard about whether I really needed it, or whether a modeler and a cleaner amp would be a better combination. If I needed an amp that did "warm/vintage" and didn't require me to bring any pedals, this would be it for me.

I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you want to buy my V7 ;)
Click to expand...

I've owned the V7 and a D-800 and had different experience. As far as the volume knobs, I had the opposite experience. D-800 steadily increased as you went. Now, I was using more gain on the V7, so that could make a difference. I thought the V7 lacked headroom and wasn't 700 watts loud compared to other 700 and 800 watt Class D amps I have experience with. Sounds killer, no doubt about that. If I ever got another one, I would definitely go V12. I don't know that I would call the Mesa hifi in tone. I has good clarity, but it is dark. I don't agree that the D-800 doesn't color the sound.

Now, I am not arguing anything here. I've owned both those amps and they are great, just didn't end up being the one for me. I have my SVT-3 and get my Ampeg tone fix with it. I do kinda think about a V12 sometimes, but my GK is doing fine for my higher power Class D needs.

I haven't spent much time on this thread before and dadgummit you terrible folks have my gassing for a B15. Curse you all.
 
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#14
CamJazzBass said:
I've owned the V7 and a D-800 and had different experience. As far as the volume knobs, I had the opposite experience. D-800 steadily increased as you went. Now, I was using more gain on the V7, so that could make a difference. I thought the V7 lacked headroom and wasn't 700 watts loud compared to other 700 and 800 watt Class D amps I have experience with. Sounds killer, no doubt about that. If I ever got another one, I would definitely go V12. I don't know that I would call the Mesa hifi in tone. I has good clarity, but it is dark. I don't agree that the D-800 doesn't color the sound.

Now, I am not arguing anything here. I've owned both those amps and they are great, just didn't end up being the one for me. I have my SVT-3 and get my Ampeg tone fix with it. I do kinda think about a V12 sometimes, but my GK is doing fine for my higher power Class D needs.

I haven't spent much time on this thread before and dadgummit you terrible folks have my gassing for a B15. Curse you all.
Click to expand...
That's fascinating, and making me second guess my own experience. This thread made me think about what I need and I am actually looking to sell both amps and get a TT-800 which I hope will give me the experience of both in a single amp.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.
 
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#15
I don’t know what to say other than I love mine. It’s the Ampeg sound, if that’s what you like. It’s warm, but clean enough, very musical.

I play it into a Venture 4x10 usually with the SGT on and selected to B-15 and everything pretty flat. I have used the sweepable mids in bad sounding rooms. I can’t imagine needing more volume, but the DI is very good. Could always add another cab if you really need that much volume on stage. The amp is rated at 700w, but into 4 ohms, not 8.
 
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#16
Paul New said:
I don’t know what to say other than I love mine. It’s the Ampeg sound, if that’s what you like. It’s warm, but clean enough, very musical.

I play it into a Venture 4x10 usually with the SGT on and selected to B-15 and everything pretty flat. I have used the sweepable mids in bad sounding rooms. I can’t imagine needing more volume, but the DI is very good. Could always add another cab if you really need that much volume on stage. The amp is rated at 700w, but into 4 ohms, not 8.
Click to expand...
That’s more than good enough to hear. Thank you 🙏
 
#17
CamJazzBass said:
I've owned the V7 and a D-800 and had different experience. As far as the volume knobs, I had the opposite experience. D-800 steadily increased as you went. Now, I was using more gain on the V7, so that could make a difference. I thought the V7 lacked headroom and wasn't 700 watts loud compared to other 700 and 800 watt Class D amps I have experience with. Sounds killer, no doubt about that. If I ever got another one, I would definitely go V12. I don't know that I would call the Mesa hifi in tone. I has good clarity, but it is dark. I don't agree that the D-800 doesn't color the sound.

Now, I am not arguing anything here. I've owned both those amps and they are great, just didn't end up being the one for me. I have my SVT-3 and get my Ampeg tone fix with it. I do kinda think about a V12 sometimes, but my GK is doing fine for my higher power Class D needs.

I haven't spent much time on this thread before and dadgummit you terrible folks have my gassing for a B15. Curse you all.
Click to expand...
An Ampeg SVT-3 is still VERY competitive among all the new generations of bass amps available nowadays. I tried one (again !) in a jam session lately and it puts to shame many newer and fancier amps.
 
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